the blue blog archives: tuesday is knitalong day

Jamie knit make-up socks
Christina received make-up socks from Bev
Karen received make-up socks from Kate
Tiffany knit "solid savior" socks
Tracy made Whitby's

And my make-up socks are half-way finished, with one down to toe grafting and one more to knit.

Sockapaloooza, anyone? Next Tuesday sign-ups go live. I haven't decided on the exact time yet, or the exact number of participants. And I haven't chosen the official sock sisters yet. (Check Sunday's post for all those final details.) But there's no reason you all can't get ready while I make the final decisions.

First, for those new to the Sockapalooza, here's how it goes. I'll collect names, addresses, and sock preferences from lots of people. Then, I'll assign each person another person to knit a pair of socks for. So someone will be given your info and will knit a pair of socks for you and you'll be given someone else's info and be knitting socks for them. And the person you're knitting for will be knitting socks for another person, and so on, and so on..... There are two groups: a beginners group and a non-beginners group. If you've successfully made socks before, you're not a beginner. Beginners are those who really haven't made socks before and they will swap their "first try" socks with each other. I think most of the beginners in the last rounds enjoyed learning how to knit socks and receiving a pair from a pal who had also just learned. So if sock knitting is new to you but you really want to give it a try, join us!

We'll all start knitting around February 1 and will send our socks out in May, that way everyone should receive their socks around the same time. And remember, it's a secret swap! Don't tell your sock pal you are knitting for them until you send off their socks to them. It'll be much more fun if it remains a surprise.

- BASIC INFO: name, email address, blog address, mailing address (don't worry, I won't be sharing your email or mailing addresses with anyone but your sock pal)
- GROUP INFO: do you want to be in the beginner group? are you willing to ship overseas?
- FOOT AND SOCK INFO: foot measurement from heel to tip of big toe AND foot circumference measured at the ball of the foot, plus any other measurements or info that your pal needs to make socks fit your feet

Also include any of the following sock details that are important to you:
fiber preferences - got allergies? prefer wool socks?
color preferences - solids/variegated colors? specific colors you hate?
design preferences - do you like crazy socks? lacy socks? stripes or solids? prefer calf length/ankle length?
Include whatever you think your pal should know. If you're up for anything, just say that and your pal can have fun with your socks!

posted by alison at 9:16 am | in sockapaloooza , sockapaltwoza

Comments

Sweet! I can't wait to start knitting socks again!! Heck, it'll be my first foray back into knitting since October!!!! :)

Alison, I know I said it last time, but thanks for organizing this swap. You rock!

Posted by: Heather at January 17, 2006 9:28 AM

Yay!!! Sockapaloooza!!! Thanks for doing this, I had SO much fun last time!

Posted by: Carry at January 17, 2006 9:36 AM

ooo I can't wait

Posted by: erin at January 17, 2006 9:39 AM

Very excited!

Posted by: Tammy at January 17, 2006 9:48 AM

Yay! I can't wait either--and I'm chiming in on the general opinion: Alison, you ROCK for taking this on again--and can I say how much I love the new button? Genius!

Posted by: Ashley at January 17, 2006 9:49 AM

I'm so excited you are doing this again!
I've hung back and just watched the last two sockapalooozas, but this time I'm gonna do it!!!!!
By the way, how are the knit boots comin' along?

Posted by: Kathy at January 17, 2006 9:51 AM

Hooray! I'm hoping to join in this time ... thank you so much for tackling this again.

Posted by: Ruth at January 17, 2006 9:52 AM

I just want to say that I am waiting on the edge of my seat to see your boot progress. I told my husband about them and he is afraid that my shoe closet and his tool box are going to mingle while he's at work!

Posted by: Jenny at January 17, 2006 9:56 AM

Thanks so much for hosting this again, can't wait to join in.

Posted by: Amy at January 17, 2006 9:58 AM

I am SO determined to get in on this round. I'm doing up my email right now with all the required info and saving it in my drafts folder. Woo!!

Posted by: peggy at January 17, 2006 9:58 AM

I'm excited to join up with this round. I'm loving sock knitting these days.

Posted by: Jennifer at January 17, 2006 10:04 AM

I am so excited--I have been looking forward to round three! I had a great time making the sox and I love my gifted ones and wear them almost too much--and now I get to correspond with my sockmaker as well.

This year I'll step it up and volunteer to be a savior too--everyone needs handmade socks!

Posted by: suzanne at January 17, 2006 10:07 AM

wow! i'm so excited about this! i've been wanting to participate for a long time! :)

thank you Alison for organizing it!

Posted by: betty at January 17, 2006 10:21 AM

WOO HOO! You made my day!

Posted by: Brynne at January 17, 2006 10:24 AM

looking forward to joiniing this one - I missed the last one!

Posted by: janine at January 17, 2006 10:26 AM

Oo, I hope I remember to sign up this time! Thanks for organizing another round.

Posted by: Jenni at January 17, 2006 10:27 AM

Yay!

Posted by: Cathy at January 17, 2006 10:40 AM

I can't wait. Now that I've discovered knitalongs (Thanks for my first one, Alison!), I'm hooked.
One question, though. What about us in PST? I miss all the good stuff because everyone in EST gets to go first! (pout) If there's a number limit, will I have to set my alarm for 2am? I mean, I will if I have to...

Posted by: JJ at January 17, 2006 10:54 AM

woohoo! I think timing-wise sockapaloooza is going to work for me! hooray! :D

Posted by: jess at January 17, 2006 10:56 AM

So, can I still be counted as a beginner even though I signed up for the Yarn Harlot Knitting Olympics to make my first pair of socks (for myself)? I mean, by the time I sign up I will not have knitted socks successfully, but hopefully the socks the pal receives will actually be my second pair...

Posted by: Carrie at January 17, 2006 11:07 AM

ooh! I can't wait for this!! :) I missed the first run, and I discovered the thing in the middle of the last run, so I"ve been anxiously awaiting the third installment! :)

Posted by: Manda at January 17, 2006 11:09 AM

I want in!!

Posted by: Scout at January 17, 2006 11:09 AM

I would love to join you ladies! thanks!

Posted by: Kitty at January 17, 2006 11:09 AM

i am so excited! can't wait until tuesday:)

Posted by: catherine at January 17, 2006 11:14 AM

Ok, I've lurked the last 2 times so this time I'm in! I'm not a beginner anymore, but I haven't done any "fancy" patterns either. I've also joined the Knitting Olympics (that Harlot - see what she gets us into?) to do 2 socks on 2 circs. My sock pal should easily receive their socks by May!

Posted by: kc at January 17, 2006 12:21 PM

I'm definitely going to get in on the action this time. So much fun! As part of my participation, I'll offer 10% off my sock yarns to sockapaloooza participants, including custom orders.

Posted by: Lorraine at January 17, 2006 1:05 PM

OK, Tuesday's my first day of class. This stinks. It'll be open all day (like till 5 at least), right? I CAN"T miss out!

Posted by: Vicki at January 17, 2006 1:29 PM

As a sock virgin, I am sooo looking forward to this. I was going to do socks for the Yarn Harlot so this will be perfect....[marking calendar]

Posted by: Darci at January 17, 2006 3:37 PM

:) Hey Allison, I am working on the second mate of the second sock pal socks. The second sock never takes me very long.

I have to take a short break, a few days should do, until my wrist calms back down.

I will drop a post card to my pal to let her know what is going on.

Posted by: TraciSue at January 17, 2006 4:29 PM

I can't wait! I really wanted to get in last round but life was getting way crazy and I didn't want to disapoint anyone but this time I know I can do it!

Posted by: MommyknitsJen at January 17, 2006 4:40 PM

Oooooh...sounds like fun...but I've just signed up for the Knitting Olympic over at Yarn Harlot's. Although, my first try at a sock ended last night at the gusset shaping - which you can read on my blog. But I'm itching to try my hands out again at socks. When do we have to get the pair finished to be sent?

Posted by: Elemmaciltur at January 17, 2006 5:22 PM

Only one foot left to knit on my savior socks! Pretty please, make sign ups "after work" time - I have no access to a computer during the day. I will cry into my Dr Pepper if I can't make socks for someone! :(

Posted by: Jenn at January 17, 2006 7:09 PM

OOOooo, can't wait for this one!

Posted by: Becky at January 17, 2006 10:03 PM

I have always wanted to join one of these! Can't wait for the chance to sign up!

Posted by: ally at January 18, 2006 12:14 AM

Another one! Yeah, I can't wait! Thanks for organizing this for us all again.

Posted by: Samantha at January 18, 2006 12:27 AM

This is great news! Another Sockapaloooza! Thank you so much for taking the burden to organise another giant KAL/exchange, it was so much fun!

Posted by: Carola at January 18, 2006 7:23 AM

Screw that wedding planning I'm supposed to be doing. I'm going to knit SOCKS!

Posted by: Chialea at January 18, 2006 8:31 AM

Oooh! Can I join? This will be my second ever KAL. I've knitted socks before, but the've never been "just right." Am I still a beginner? ;)

Posted by: Hope at January 18, 2006 3:20 PM

Thank you thank you thank you for hosting a sockapalooza again. I REALLY want to participate in this one, so I'm chomping at the bit for signups to go live...

I hope you feel better soon...

Posted by: Jen the KnittingSpaz at January 18, 2006 4:50 PM

Cool, I'm getting in on this one! Love the colors on your sock.

Posted by: Monica at January 18, 2006 6:28 PM

Hey - count me in! I was gonna do Sockapal2za but decided against it. Now I have some experience and am READY!!!!!

Posted by: emily at January 18, 2006 8:41 PM

You know I'm there...I'm drafting my e-mail already so I can just hit send. Thanks for taking this on again Alison!

Posted by: Phoebe at January 19, 2006 5:22 AM

Oooh.... I so want in.

Posted by: Becky at January 19, 2006 10:18 AM

Im pretty psyched about this too - now that I have conquered my fear of socks and have actually knit a few pairs! Thanks for running it again!! (keeping fingers crossed I get in in time!!)

Posted by: Dani at January 19, 2006 4:19 PM

this will be sooo much fun i've never done an exchange before!!!

Posted by: lesley at January 19, 2006 6:08 PM

Oh my gosh, there are sockmonkeys on the button!!! I love the sockmonkeys! Sockapaloooza official plans, too! I'm so excited I have to pee, 'scuse me...

Posted by: Gina at January 19, 2006 6:35 PM

I'll be looking next Tuesday! Can't wait!

Posted by: Pip at January 20, 2006 7:05 PM

I've never participated in this before. I have seen the button on different blogs. I think I will sign up for this one! Can't wait!

Posted by: Sheri at January 22, 2006 8:36 PM